School Board Expresses Vocational School Woes

In what was supposed to be a regular business meeting for the Spring-Ford Area School District, a lengthy discussion spawned during committee reports that sparked the interest of the community.

Board president Joseph Ciresi gave his report concerning the Joint Operating Committee meeting for the Western Montgomery Career and Technology Center and board members argued over what to do with the low enrollment numbers. Those numbers ranged between 105 and 110 in the 2010-2011 school year.

"For a half of a day tuition, we are paying in the $26,000s per student," said vice president Thomas DiBello. "We could send kids to a private vocational school for less money."

Despite DiBello's point of view on the issue, board member Mark Dehnert felt different about what to do with the enrollment problem.

"Let's not play Monday morning quarterback here," said Dehnert. "We have the building, we need to use it."

Dehnert expressed our society's need for skilled young professionals in the trades, which would help this community sustain itself. Ciresi agreed with both sides, saying something must be done from the administrative level, although he was on board with participation in the school when it was first approved.

Solicitor Marc Davis pointed out that enrollment issues $1.3 million in debt service.

"These kids are extremely important to the district," Ciresi said. "They shouldn't be downgraded, but we have this beautiful facility and are getting less out of it."

Ciresi explained that the Spring-Ford commute to the school is the shortest of the three districts involved, which also include Pottsgrove and Upper Perkiomen. Despite the short commute, Spring-Ford has the lowest enrollment. Upper Perkiomen has the longest commute and has the highest enrollment.

Another concern was laid before the board as to why there is a dental hygiene center that is no longer in use, but was paid for in part by the district. Ciresi urged the community to tour the building and encourage the kids to enroll, but the board also blamed the school's marketing tactics.

Administrative Director of WMCTC Joe Greb pointed out in a phone interview that the marketing firm used at the school is the same one Spring-Ford employs.

“As we continue working with the schools, we’ll do everything we can," Greb said. "One of the initiatives next year will be to target Spring-Ford to maybe individualize is a little more to that community to help their numbers.”

Three members of the public got up to speak out on the issue, including Kathy Bryant of Upper Providence, who has attended board meetings for the past 25 years.

"I heard a lot of lamenting of the past tonight," said Bryant. "It's built and it's here. Let's try to be positive now that it's here instead of boo-hooing about it."

Bryant suggested Spring-Ford make attempts to hold extracurricular programs after school at the center, but Ciresi explained his attempts at making that happen in the past were thwarted.

"It's something we need to push harder for, I agree," Ciresi responded. "But, all three of our districts need to push and we don't always get that in those meetings."

Dawn Heine of Limerick Township said that the enrollment brochure didn't get to her house until a week after course selection deadline. Greb wasn't sure why.

“Those come out in December as a bulk mail," Greb said. "All the addresses come directly from the districts. We get mailing labels from them. As to why it was late, I don’t know. It could be a post office thing.

"We also have open enrollment. A student can enroll at any time. They just have to meet with their counselors to make sure everything is feasible at the sending district. There’s no set date for us. The only way a student would not be able to get into a program is because they overenrolled. I think we only have one program at this time with protective services, but the other programs are all available. They would have to see their high school counselors to look at credits and make sure. They hold the key.”

The next Joint Operating Committee meeting was originally set for Aug. 1, but is being pushed back to Aug. 8.

New superintendent Dr. David Goodin was in attendance for his first unofficial meeting and heard the concerns. He publically made the issue one of his top priorities.

"It's certainly something I'll have to look into," said Goodin. "There is a large opportunity available for students in the trades. I need to get a better feel from the students of why they aren't going there. If we can identify that, we might be able to rectify the situation."